Emmanuel Emegha set for Chelsea Premier League opener despite pre-season injury

Emmanuel Emegha is expected to be fit in time for the start of the 2026-27 Premier League season, giving Chelsea a timely boost after the striker’s recent injury scare.

BBC Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella reports that, although the Dutch forward will miss the club’s overseas pre-season tour, his recovery is progressing well enough for him to target the opening league fixtures.

Emegha suffered a hamstring injury during a behind-closed-doors friendly against Bromley, in which he had already found the net before being forced off. The setback has ruled him out of the squad travelling to Australia and Asia, but the club’s medical staff do not expect it to be a long-term problem.

Chelsea signed the 23-year-old from Strasbourg earlier this summer after an eye-catching spell in Ligue 1, and he has quickly shown flashes of why the Blues moved for him.

Chelsea fans cannot wait to see Emmanuel Emegha continue to shine for the club, and coach Xabi Alonso is counting on him according to reports in England, seeing the young striker as a key part of his attacking plan.

The focus now is on careful rehabilitation so he can hit the ground running when the competitive action begins.